Politics

Moon Calls for China's Cooperation over Fine Dust Issue

Write : 2018-03-30 19:04:49Update : 2018-03-30 19:30:48

President Moon Jae-in has called for China’s cooperation in easing worsening fine dust levels in South Korea.

During a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Yang Jiechi at the presidential office on Friday, Moon emphasized the seriousness of the alleged impact of the Chinese factors on the nation’s air quality.

He said many South Koreans are urging the government to seek close, joint action with China against a fine dust problem in the country as it is attributed not only to domestic factors, but also to Chinese factors.

In return, Yang said that issues regarding environmental pollution, including fine dust, could be dealt with efficiently if the two countries make joint efforts through the bilateral environmental cooperation center set to open its doors later this year.

Regarding other bilateral issues in which Moon showed interest such as the normalization of Chinese’ group tours to South Korea, Yang said that China treats Moon’s interest with much importance and that related issues will be able to produce visible progress soon.

Other issues discussed between the two sides include the stalled sales of Lotte Mart stores in China, the resumption of a Lotte World construction project in Shenyang and China’s alleged discrimination against South Korean electric vehicle battery producers.

During the meeting, Yang also said China will actively cooperate for the denuclearization and peace of the Korean Peninsula.